Wow, this weekend sure passed in a flash! Yesterday was super busy and exhausting. After my 12 miles on the treadmill, the day was just beginning…

It was finally time to decorate, and between multiple trips up and down the stairs to take out the decorations we were feeling overwhelmed! On the bright side, I noticed just how much stronger I am than last year when it came time to bring the bag with our tree in it up the basement stairs–way easier than normal.  My mom and I quickly assembled the tree; then, I set to putting up the ornaments–I couldn’t believe how many we had (we got so tired we left a lot of old, miscellaneous ones off this year).  She went to cook food for my brother to bring back to college (I sure don’t miss that job!); she said she never realized how hard it was to cook for him (huge meat eater with high metabolism).

After she rejoined me, we both started getting hungry, so I roasted a butternut squash and a can of chickpeas, topped this with a can of crushed tomatoes, and seasoned with cinnamon.  We could not believe how great this tasted!

After this Roasted Butternut Chickpea Soup, we had some Greek salads.

 And some super sweet pineapple–they have been amazing lately!

Once we had refueled, we resumed the decorating, and thankfully finished! All the timers on working, but some lights are out on the tree. (I guess that is to be expected since the tree is like 12 years old!)

The both of us were so tired, we went right to sleep after finishing!

Once again, this morning I was the first to wake up.  I prepared myself of bowl of steel cut oats with raisins, cinnamon, and topped with almond butter.  I also swirled in some Greek yogurt for creaminess that I felt it was lacking (when I took the picture), which made all the difference!

While I was making my oats, my cat was causing so much mischief (he is usually sleeping all day).

Yesterday, he was attacking our Christmas tree! We think he doesn’t like Christmas because every year when we decorate he goes crazy! He will eat poinsettias, run under the tree, knock decorations off the counters, etc.

I started packing up the rest of my stuff to go back to Columbia, and then went to our basement gym to workout.  I did a core routine off a video my brother made me (it features me doing various routines I have created, with my favorite songs in the background), and then went on the treadmill for a 3 mile recovery run.

After stretching and showering, my mom and I made pancakes.  It was so nice to eat them together instead of in front of the computer for a change.  Plus, I got to have a nice homemade espresso!  The pancakes were really filling today…

I then was able to finish packing my stuff…and break out the Vitamix!  I made myself some peanut butter, which I have missed for so long over at college (so much easier than the food processor and much quicker too).  While my brother worked out with my mom, I started packing up the car.  I also, decided to take some of the meals I had frozen over there to make my hectic days here a little easier.

After they finished, we had a quick dinner of lentils and wild rice (and pineapple!).  Then put the last of the stuff in the car, and headed for Manhattan to drop me off first.  There was so much traffic and we were packed in the car; I got a little sick and was so happy to get out of the car.  Once I brought the stuff into my dorm room and we said our goodbyes, I went over to the market to get a few things that didn’t make sense to bring from home.

Then came the worst part: unpacking!  It looked like my suitcase had exploded all over the room.  In about an hour’s time I had tamed the mess and found everything a home! I can’t believe how fast the break went…but my brother has a countdown until the winter break (he is actually done the same day I am but earlier): 25 days!

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to do all I was planning to do, but I am just happy at all I have accomplished this week.  (I often have the problem of being over-ambitious as to what I will finish.)

What did you accomplish this week that you are most proud of?

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